Alaskan Grizzly

I think it safe to say you were one of the reasons he left. If I may be so bold. You equaled his immaturity step for step and eventually he blinked first. I know this because I've had 'discussions' with you in the past only to realize I am proverbially beating my head on a wall to try and get my point across. I never figured to hear myself think this way but you "young whippersnappers" sometimes don't know when to give up. Your post above proves my point.

Good analysis. It is intersetingly unsettling that the Bengals and Bears could be compared on the same plane. But you're right, where one advantage gives the team a leg up it is equaled out by a similar advantage found somewhere else. This should prove to be a pivitol game for the Bears early in the season and will set the tone. Maybe the advantage for our team will be the fact they are playing at home. I recall thinking last year the first game would have been an easy walkaway game for the Bears especially with a rookie QB starting. But the Colts didn't just lie down and give up. Not only that but they played well through the whole season encough to make the playoffs. Who knew? I look forward to Sunday. Should be a good match.

No, unfortunately its a league all about the allmighty dollar. QB or DE be damned. The comparison I was making was that at some point a person (or team) realizes they have made enough money and are willing to help the team they play for by giving some back to help the team keep or get players that will get the team where it wants to be. It sends an irreverant omen to players if they think they are being used. Maybe Peppers has indicated he wants to retire next year and is willing to take the hit this year? Don't know, but I would hope the team isn't doing what they did with Urlacher and saying 'our way or go away'. It will come back to bite them.... I know I'm in the minority but to me it is what it is. A business. And unfortunately the traditionalist aspects are slowly being squeezed out of it.

I'm not sure what it all means exactly but I would like it to be known that I don't like it. (If the team is positioning to jettison a player like Peppers a year in advance). It's crap. I'll believe that management has a bit more class than that and this is more akin to what Brady has done for the Patriots in the past.

Maybe its just a way to shore up the "rainy day" fund. Given the unknowns going into the first game (75% different players from last year?), perhaps management is looking for a way to buy FA players that could contribute if one or two players currently on the team don't work out. My understanding was the team is "up against the cap" so it would make sense.

Isn't Maneri a converted lineman? Maybe that's the thinking? Since it appears the team is looking at double TE sets what real concern is there?

Dude, now you're just trolling. All others would be wise to just disengage from this thread. It's apprent that it's turned into fishing expedition.

Perhaps. But now I'm even more perplexed hearing the Bears jettisoned K. Adams as a result. Not sure that Rosario is that much better than Adams. But I'm sure he's much older and a 'sorta been'. Oh well, that's why they play the game.

Soooo... Now I'm even more befuddled. Why, if the Cowboys already had two TEs (Witten and Hanna), would the Bears give up a 7th round pick for what equates to a reserve player?

I know. It was heavy sarcasm mixed with early morning dementia that made me post that. Lol. I was just emphasizing that he's been playing for what seems like forever. One thing i did find in reading up on him was that his former coach, Fox, mistakenly listed him as the actress "Rosario Dawson". *wikipedia. Poor guy, can't even get the coach to get it right.

He's gotta be getting close to retiring. He's been around 'the block' a few times. Recall when he played for the Panthers back in the '80s, he wasnt too bad. But since, not so much. Im guessing the team isn't settled on TE yet. I equate him to The recently released Pope (former 1st round and who they gave up less for). Must think he's able to contribute if they gave up 7th round. I sure wish thy could get Olsen back.

PREACH!!!!

This. Having Forte as a factor will be a BIG help in the overall pass game. I know the Marshall hip omen could be all hype, but something about it is unsettling. That may be a bigger issue in the long run..... But I will agree having a large targets (as a whole) will help the WR corps. Regardless of experience. The blend of experience with Marshall and yes Alshon will help the younger group. I'd give this group a B- grade going into the 1st game.

The main topic of this thread was to be able to proclaim something you KNOW about this team. But you were passive in your remarks, thus not totally convinced. Here's what I KNOW about this team, from the "devil's advocate" position. Marc Trestman is the head coach: How long ago was he last in the NFL? Where was he coaching before? Why was he not in the NFL the last 15 (?) years? Jay Cutler is the Quarterback: When was the last time, or only time, when Jay approached "elite" status? 2008. The year he made the Pro Bowl. Since then he's been a better version of Rex Grossman. The interception laden Dr Jekyll for a game or two then the pro-bowl caliber Mr Hyde the next. The Chicago Defense: Sure they are one year removed from the record setting team of 2012. The key players on the team; Briggs, Tillman and Peppers are all in their 30's. And no matter how you slice it, neither DJ Williams or Jon Bostic are Urlacher. Could they be? Perhaps. So far we've seen nothing of Williams and although we've seen FLASHES of greatness from Bostic, we've seen more of his humanity than not. The offensive line is almost 50% rookie. Is that bad? Not necessarily but its not a resounding "I KNOW" they will be stellar. B. Marshall: Is struggling with his hip surgery recovery. Will it matter during the season? Probably not, but why else was it even brought up? Did we really need to even know it? M. Bennett: I'm tired of "hoping" and "hearing" he's the solution to the TE position. People tell me he WILL be fine, I'm not so sure. He's inconsistent. The only time he's been productive was when Eli Manning was throwing to him. And Jay Cutler is no Eli. Phil Emery is the second coming: Ok, maybe that one's a little over the top but so far what has his last two recruit classes done so far? As of today, most have done little. So to equate them (Emery and Trestman) to what Ditka and Buddy did in the mid-80's is a little over-hyped. There are too many uncertainties to KNOW that this team will excel.

Interesting post, since you don't seem to have much conviction in your thoughts (more on that in a moment). I wouldn't go as far as saying this staff is as good as it was when Ditka and Buddy were with the team. Nothing's been done yet...just some intriguing personnel moves. And a 2-2 preseason record...against some garbage teams. Interesting that you left "bad" as an option. Here's where things get a little dicey in your post.... All the words bolded are 'passive' remarks. Meaning you don't believe what you wrote. If you did you would have said "This offense WILL..." and "...WHEN Cutler plays..." but there are too many unknowns to make bold predictions.The one that you did was that Peppers "will get double digit sacks". This I agree with. The rest, not so much. I mean if we really have to ask how well the team will perform against the Cinncinnati Bengals, then maybe we should wait until the game is actually played.

And you're right. The childish remarks do come off as boorish, but sometimes 'you just have to choose your battles'. Its something I have to tell my wife to do with my youngest all the time. But I'm just as guilty as some here, similar to what Mad Lith said. I've come off as arrogant and prickish, especially after a Bears loss where I've had too many libations, but most here don't seem to hold a grudge despite my best efforts. Except maybe Terra Tor (speaking of characters that are MIA). Most of the folks here are all genuinely in support of the team and many will share your feelings but not comment. In fact I wouldn't be surprsied that many 'members' still come in from time to time just to see whats going on, catch up on Bears news and not leave a comment.

Ouch. He's worth zilch to any other team. With his injury history he's barley hanging on in Chicago. If not for the link to Cutler I think he'd be done.

Of the three McCown is the only one with experience 'on the team' and Trestmans offense. And FWIW I think fundementally he's more consistent than even Cutler. Of Palmer and Edwards though, I'm intrigued by both. Youth is on Palmers side where experience is on Edwards'. Game 4 will be their determining factor.

Is this who Jay was referring to some weeks ago when he said "not everyone was on board" with the new offense?

Agreed. The one thing I don't want Trestman to do is 'wait and see' if Onubun is going to work out or not. Practice and game time are two different experiences. And if Fendi is cracking under pressure during pre-season, then he's got no place on the team for the regular season. Game 4 will be telling for him. Between he and Adams at this point, my vote would be Adams. Over Maneri? Not sure yet. And FWIW, I'd still like to see Bennett (the TE) do something convincing that he belongs. I know it won't happen this week but maybe he'll get one or two plays in(?)

Adams has shown some promise in the last year or so. He's not been premiere but probably worthy of looking at. Moreso than Onubun. Why would the team use him as a "decoy"? He hasn't caught one pass yet. And other teams are watching the same film we are.

Well despite my rooting for Pope I didn't see him do anything to raise his stock. He truly has turned into a bust, oh well. Now the question is does the team have that much faith in Bennett to be able to do what he should be, which is catching passes? And I'm bummed about Aromashadu. Thought he'd work out this time around. Maybe it means the younger guys are doing well enough to make it? Here's to hoping

Reading the tea leaves aside; 'you say tomayto I say tomahto. You have to ask yourself why he was a starter for only one year?

I understand what you said, my counter was that I'm not so sure Bennett will be 'all that'. Since he hasn't done anything of note yet. And that he and Pope are currently on the same level, as far as productivity... with this team. Speaking of... When I say 'benchmark' I mean it in the sense of as a measure of how the respective players have done over their career. The quote you provided said that Bennett did at least make 250 yards receiving one year where Pope hasn't even done that much. I said that since it appears you were using 200+ yards as the measuring stick (benchmark) of productivity - at least for TE's - then the Bears should have stayed with Kellen Davis, since he received 200 yards in two consecutive seasons. I hope that whomever the TE ends up being the "one" gets way more than 250 yards receiving in the year. Will it be Bennett or Pope or some other unknown? Still remains to be seen. So far NO TE has stepped forward to show that they deserve to be "..a part of every game plan." As far as your understanding of Pope, and for what its worth, I think you might have a pretty good first hand perspective since he played in Arizona for a bit. Who knows, maybe he'll 'rise to the occasion'? And as far as I'm concerned Romo is douche. I'm glad Jerry Jones blew all his dough on him, they deserve each other. Here's to the new season.

Speaking of the nickel spot saw that DJ Moore had a 'pick six' last night for Carolina against Flacco and the Ravens. Hear he's been doing nicely over there.